Laugh Until You Cry Novels & Stories

I grabbed her arm, dragged her across the office, and hauled her out the door. I turned to the Security Guard, who was still frozen outside. “Take her out, or you’ll be next,” I instructed, my voice flat and dangerous, and walked back into the office. I didn't even look at my husband. I sighed, pulled out a tissue, cleaned my bleeding nose and hand, and started taking out the documents I came to discuss. Then, Eddie’s laughter echoed in the office. It was a full, raw sound. I spun around to look at him. It was the first time I’d ever seen him laugh—a genuine laugh. I was convinced he wasn't capable of it. His smile was so bright, his green eyes tearing up with unmasked amusement.

“W⁠hy a⁠re⁠ YOU crying?” She wiped her face drama‌tica‍lly. “Because everybody‌ el⁠s⁠e wants to‍ cry.‍” T⁠hat⁠ broke the‌ roo‌m. Laughter Real and loud laughter⁠. The kind mixed with tea‌rs. Liam stoo‌d first. Walked over.⁠ Pull‍ed No⁠ah into a⁠ h‍ug. Noah⁠ immedi⁠ately co⁠mpla‍ined.

Ellie pulled back slightly, her face breaking into a small, incredulous smile—and then, unexpectedly, she burst into laughter. At first, it was soft, hesitant, a fragile sound that seemed almost alien in the room heavy with secrets. Then it grew, deep and genuine, echoing off the walls. She laughed until tears formed at the corners of her eyes. Laughter flowed freely, releasing months of tension and worry, until she could hardly breathe.

Why was he acting as if it was a feat or something? Then Adrian burst off laughing, and it was not just a simple laugh. It was a full-blown heartfelt laughter where he had tears in his eyes from the laughing. Even though I didn't understand what he was laughing about, it was a sight I loved. I watched mesmerised until he stopped laughing. Even then, his sapphire eyes were twinkling with mirth. I didn't know if he was laughing at me, but even if he was, I didn't care. If it got him to laugh like this, he could make fun of me all day.

Alot of other customers were looking at our way and that made me get out of my trance. Straightening up my shirt, I cleared my throat. "That was not funny." She said smiling. "Oh hell it was! Did you look at his face?" I said controlling my laugh. "I've never seen you laugh like this." She said smiling. "Because I never laugh like this." I said and cleared my throat. What's wrong with me? That wasn't actually funny! "What were you talking about?" She asked. "About Pratik & Shruti." I said and she stiffened.

- Make your smile bigger and I give a nasal laugh - Now, let's go. Cute.

My tears were spilling down my cheeks now and I don’t care if I was crying in front of him, it just hurts so much and I don’t want it to hurt anymore. “Why did you come out? To know if I’m crying? Well yes, I am crying, happy now? You can go in now and tell her that I’m crying, I’m sure it’s going to make her very happy and you will do anything to make her happy. Yes, I am the laughing stock to both of you, whenever you see me, you laugh in happiness because of the things you have done to me and I’m sure it makes you very happy. So yes Adrian, you have successfully ruined me and I hope that the happiness lasts you forever and that…”

“How hard can it be?” Just as I’m about to have a stroke, he breaks into a huge grin. “I’m kidding. Of course I’ve parachuted before.” I hit him several times on the chest with my fists. “STOP – DOING – THAT!” He laughs. “What?” “Bullshitting every time someone asks you a question!” “You ever heard the expression, ‘Laugh to keep from crying’?” “Yeah, so?” “So I can either joke around and keep it light, or I can be serious and we can all be miserable and afraid and then panic and lose focus and die. Which is it gonna be?”

“I've got a 9 month old baby at home. As if I wanna be babysitting your sorry ass” Her oblivious pun sent me into peals of hysterical laughter. Screeching, can’t-catch-your-breath, tears rolling down your cheeks laughter that comes so rarely I couldn’t remember the last time I’d laughed so hard. When I finally recovered, Selina was staring at me like I’d grown an extra head.